Go Figure: Percy Harvin racking up big yardage by going short

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December 6, 2011 - 9:55 AM

As the Vikings prepare for Sunday’s Week 14 game with Detroit at Ford Field, here’s a look at a handful of eye-opening figures and facts.

165

Yardage accumulated by Percy Harvin on his four touchdown catches the past three weeks. One-hundred-twenty-two of those yards came after the catch. Harvin’s 26-yard TD against Oakland in Week 11 came on a screen pass six yards behind the line of scrimmage. He caught his first touchdown against Denver at the 44 and raced untouched to the end zone. His second score against the Broncos included 46 yards after the catch, another short pattern turned into a huge gain.

68.2

Completion percentage by opposing quarterbacks against the Vikings this season. Only the Colts have been worse, allowing opponents to complete 71.7 percent of their passes. The Vikings have also allowed opposing quarterbacks to post a cumulative 106.5 rating through 12 games. The last quarterback the Vikings held below 100 on the rating scale was Arizona’s Kevin Kolb (46.9 in Week 5).

6

Opposing receivers who have gone over 100 yards against the Vikings this season. Denver’s Demaryius Thomas was the latest to do so, catching four balls for 144 yards with two touchdowns in the Broncos’ 35-32 win Sunday. Other receivers with at least 100 yards against the Vikings this season: Atlanta’s Roddy White (10 catches, 120 yards, one TD); Carolina’s Steve Smith (seven catches, 100 yards, one TD); Green Bay’s Greg Jennings (seven catches, 147 yards, one TD); Kansas City’s Dwayne Bowe (five catches, 100 yards, one TD); and Detroit’s Calvin Johnson (seven catches, 108 yards, one TD). Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew also went over 100 yards with 11 catches for 112 yards in Week 3.

2-5

Detroit’s record since Oct. 16. After starting the season 5-0, the Lions have run headfirst into a challenging schedule wall. Four of their five losses have come to teams (the 49ers, Bears, Packers and Saints) who would all be in the playoffs if the regular season ended today.

128

Rushing yards needed by Adrian Peterson to surpass 1,000 for the season. Peterson has had at least 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first four seasons. After missing the past two games with a high ankle sprain, Peterson could return to action Sunday in Detroit. It’s also worth noting that he is 164 yards shy of setting a new Vikings record for career rushing yardage. Robert Smith currently holds that mark with 6,818 yards. In nine career games against the Lions Peterson has averaged 19 carries for 99 yards with nine touchdowns.